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UN probes 'abuse' in Ivory Coast UN probes 'abuse' in Ivory Coast
(2 days later)
The United Nations is investigating allegations of widespread sexual abuse and exploitation by peacekeepers serving in Ivory Coast.The United Nations is investigating allegations of widespread sexual abuse and exploitation by peacekeepers serving in Ivory Coast.
The UN said a unit of its contingent in Bouake, a northern rebel stronghold, had been confined to base.The UN said a unit of its contingent in Bouake, a northern rebel stronghold, had been confined to base.
It would not give the nationalities of those troops under investigation. It has confirmed that some Moroccan troops are under investigation.
Claims of sexual abuse have been made against UN troops on various missions, prompting ex-UN chief Kofi Annan to declare a "zero tolerance" policy.Claims of sexual abuse have been made against UN troops on various missions, prompting ex-UN chief Kofi Annan to declare a "zero tolerance" policy.
'Utterly immoral''Utterly immoral'
"There have been crimes such as rape, paedophilia and human trafficking," he said in December 2006, shortly before leaving office."There have been crimes such as rape, paedophilia and human trafficking," he said in December 2006, shortly before leaving office.
He said sexual exploitation and abuse were "utterly immoral" and at odds with the UN mission, and would be punished.He said sexual exploitation and abuse were "utterly immoral" and at odds with the UN mission, and would be punished.
Sexual abuse and exploitation by peacekeeping personnel hit the headlines in 2004 after a UN report detailed widespread abuse in the DR Congo involving UN troops.Sexual abuse and exploitation by peacekeeping personnel hit the headlines in 2004 after a UN report detailed widespread abuse in the DR Congo involving UN troops.
More than 300 members of UN peacekeeping missions around the world have been investigated for sexual exploitation and abuse since 2004, including some stationed in Congo, Cambodia and Haiti.More than 300 members of UN peacekeeping missions around the world have been investigated for sexual exploitation and abuse since 2004, including some stationed in Congo, Cambodia and Haiti.
A UN statement said the latest allegations had been uncovered by an internal inquiry, and a full investigation was now under way.A UN statement said the latest allegations had been uncovered by an internal inquiry, and a full investigation was now under way.
"But due to the serious nature of the allegations, the United Nations has taken the decision to suspend all activities of the contingent and has cantoned the unit within its base," it said."But due to the serious nature of the allegations, the United Nations has taken the decision to suspend all activities of the contingent and has cantoned the unit within its base," it said.
UN SEXUAL ABUSE SCANDALS 2003 - Nepalese troops accused of sexual abuse while serving in DR Congo. Six are later jailed2004 - Two UN peacekeepers repatriated after being accused of abuse in Burundi2005 - UN troops accused of rape and sexual abuse in Sudan2006 - UN personnel accused of rape and exploitation on missions is Haiti and Liberia2007 - UN launches probe into sexual abuse claims in Ivory CoastUN SEXUAL ABUSE SCANDALS 2003 - Nepalese troops accused of sexual abuse while serving in DR Congo. Six are later jailed2004 - Two UN peacekeepers repatriated after being accused of abuse in Burundi2005 - UN troops accused of rape and sexual abuse in Sudan2006 - UN personnel accused of rape and exploitation on missions is Haiti and Liberia2007 - UN launches probe into sexual abuse claims in Ivory Coast
The exact nature of the alleged offences has not been officially disclosed, but they are believed to involve sex with underage girls.The exact nature of the alleged offences has not been officially disclosed, but they are believed to involve sex with underage girls.
About 9,000 troops serve under the UN in Ivory Coast, which has been split between areas controlled by government and rebel forces.About 9,000 troops serve under the UN in Ivory Coast, which has been split between areas controlled by government and rebel forces.
The UN Security Council this week voted to extend the mission until January, in the hope that it can help create the conditions for elections, that have repeatedly been delayed.The UN Security Council this week voted to extend the mission until January, in the hope that it can help create the conditions for elections, that have repeatedly been delayed.
According to the UN website, troops in Bouake come from Morocco, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Ghana.According to the UN website, troops in Bouake come from Morocco, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Ghana.
It is not known which country's troops are under suspicion but, in an unusual move, the UN has confined its entire force in the town to barracks. The UN has confined its entire force in the town to barracks.
It is a sign of how seriously the UN is taking these latest accusations, says the BBC's Peter Miles.It is a sign of how seriously the UN is taking these latest accusations, says the BBC's Peter Miles.